A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

Before dawn, the main hall of the Marquis's mansion was already full of people.

The old lady held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her eyelids half-closed, but her fingertips moved quickly through them.

Li sat at the lower end of the table, oblivious to the fact that her cup of tea had long since gone cold, only glancing towards the door from time to time.

Today is the big day for the results to be announced, and everyone in the Marquis's mansion is anxiously waiting.

Now their Zhen'an Marquis's mansion is gradually declining, and they have no one in the court. When the old Marquis was alive, he could still get a fifth-rank official position with some real power, such as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

When he reached the Marquis's position, he could only obtain the rank of Cavalry Commandant through the hereditary privilege of his ancestors, and he didn't even need to attend court.

In fact, their Marquis family had wanted to pursue the imperial examinations since the time of the old Marquis, but perhaps because their ancestors rose to prominence through military achievements, they were not good at studying.

Back then, the old Marquis couldn't even pass the county-level imperial examination. Seeing the Zhen'an Marquis's mansion gradually declining, everyone couldn't help but feel anxious.

But their eldest son was different. From the time he began his education, his teacher praised him for his intelligence, saying that he was destined for studying.

Sure enough, at only fourteen years old, he passed both the county and prefectural examinations in one go.

If I can pass this provincial examination again, I will become a sixteen-year-old scholar. Even if I am not the most outstanding, I will certainly be considered exceptionally talented.

"He's here! The messenger has returned!"

One of the maids shouted in a high-pitched voice, and was immediately stopped by the head maid with a stern rebuke, but the joy in her words could no longer be suppressed.

The young master's servant practically tumbled and crawled into the courtyard. His hat was askew, he was covered in sweat, and his face was flushed red, as if he had drunk honey wine.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he knelt down with a thud and shouted loudly:

"He passed! He passed! Young Master passed the exam!"

"Madam! Madam! Great news! What a joyous occasion! Our young master... our young master has passed the imperial examination! His name is on the list, high up, ninth place!"

One stone caused a thousand waves!

"Good! Good! Good!"

The old lady, who had been sitting upright, suddenly stood up, said "good" three times, and slammed the Buddhist prayer beads on the kang table with a "snap," her face beaming with a relieved smile.

Li's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She suppressed her excitement, dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, and asked repeatedly, "Can you see clearly? Is it really An'ge'er's name?"

"Don't worry, Madam, it's crystal clear. Everyone checked the names and hometowns several times, so there's no mistake. The messenger delivering the good news is probably on his way to our residence right now."

"Good, good, good! My son is so good! Truly so!"

Her voice choked with emotion; this was a mother's purest pride and joy upon seeing her son succeed.

"A generous reward! Everyone in the entire household will receive double their monthly pay this month!"

In an instant, the entire Marquis's residence seemed to be set ablaze.

The servants were all beaming with joy, congratulating each other, with shouts of "Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations, Madam!" ringing out continuously.

The once solemn hall was now filled with laughter and joy, as if even the air had become sweeter.

"Quickly! Open the ancestral hall, offer the first incense to the ancestors, and tell them this good news!"

The old lady, beaming, loudly instructed, "Distribute the prepared celebratory money to all the neighbors. Also, double-check the red envelopes prepared for the messenger."

The courtyard suddenly became as busy as a frying pan, with everyone doing their own tasks.

Linglong was just as busy as everyone else today, and only had time to relax after lunch.

Li leaned against the couch, and Linglong knelt at her feet to massage her legs.

"Madam, you must be exhausted today. From the moment you received the good news this morning until now, you haven't had a moment's rest, inside or out. But to my eyes, the joy in your eyes and brows is more radiant than if you'd drunk ginseng soup."

She paused slightly, her hands continuing their work, her tone carrying just the right amount of admiration and respect:

"They say 'like begets like,' and I never really understood it before, but today I truly see it for myself. Our young master is so accomplished at such a young age, entering school at sixteen and becoming a scholar. Isn't his intelligence and talent a direct result of your care and guidance, Madam? Everyone outside praises the Marquis for his excellent upbringing, but who in our household doesn't know that the young master's academic foundation, character, and manners are all the result of your daily care and personal guidance?"

She glanced up discreetly and caught a glimpse of a pleased smile playing on the lady's lips. Knowing that the words had struck a chord, her voice grew even more earnest:

"We servants all say in private, with our young master's abilities, you can just wait to enjoy his good fortune. This is only the beginning. In the future, we'll be receiving good news from successful candidates in the imperial examinations!"

Li listened without opening her eyes, only letting out a soft "hmm" through her nose, carrying a lazy satisfaction.

Her hand, resting on the pillow, unconsciously twirled its fingertips, as if she could already feel the warm reality of that bright future.

"Everyone has worked hard today. Go to the treasury and get some silver later. The servants in the young master's courtyard have served well, so each of them will be rewarded with five taels of silver. Everyone in our main courtyard will receive one tael of silver. Let's all have a good time. The bill will be paid from my private treasury."

"Yes, I've remembered it. Thank you for your reward, Madam."

"Also, tomorrow," Madam Li paused, as if organizing her thoughts or savoring the sudden idea, "tomorrow morning, arrange a carriage for me. I need to go out of the city to Xuandu Temple to fulfill a vow."

These words, though spoken lightly, were of great significance to Linglong.

Her mind raced, but she showed no sign of it on her face, simply replying respectfully, "Yes, Madam. When does Madam plan to depart? This servant will make arrangements as soon as possible."

Li turned her gaze back to Linglong's low-hanging hair, her tone regaining its usual composure and authority, but with an added air of unquestionable solemnity:

"Let's set off at the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM) and return before the sun gets too strong. You personally make the arrangements. Get that carriage with the blue curtains and brocade cushions; it'll be more stable. Take four guards with you; they need to be capable and reliable. Also, go to the storeroom and select a few bolts of fine palace satin, prepare fifty taels of incense money, and three kinds of sacrificial animals and fruits—all of which must be the freshest and most complete."

She sat up slightly, and Linglong immediately stopped massaging her legs and got up to straighten her slightly wrinkled sleeves.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Li changed her mind and said, "Forget it, don't bring the palace satin. I remember there are still a few bolts of newly acquired Songjiang cotton cloth in the storeroom, which can be offered to the Taoist priests in the temple to make summer clothes. Also prepare twenty taels of silver for incense oil, some seasonal fruits, and a set of plain candles and sandalwood incense. There's no need to be too extravagant; sincerity is what matters, and cleanliness and respect are paramount."

Linglong understood immediately and bowed, saying, "This servant understands. Madam has been praying diligently for the young master, and now he has indeed passed the imperial examination with flying colors. It is only right that we go to fulfill our vow. This servant will make proper arrangements and will not let anyone disturb Madam's peace, nor will I dare to neglect the gods."

Madam Li nodded slightly, quite satisfied with the answer. She leaned back against the pillow and closed her eyes again. Only a faint, relieved smile remained on her lips, a smile that seemed to indicate that her wish had been fulfilled.

Linglong quietly took two steps back, her mind already racing as she planned tomorrow's itinerary, the items she would need, and who she would instruct.

She knew that this seemingly simple trip was a matter of the lady's reputation, and even more so of showing respect and gratitude to the gods, and could not be taken lightly in the slightest.